Could the 2013 Small Business of the Year be based in Turlock?
National Small Business Week is just around the corner, and the U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking nominations for several SBA awards – including the 2013 Small Business of the Year.
Winners will be selected on the local, state, and national levels. Many local winners will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in Small Business Week festivities.
“During National Small Business Week, we celebrate the generations of entrepreneurs who have given their all to realize a dream, and we renew our promise to help their businesses grow, hire, and succeed,” said President Barack Obama in proclaiming 2012’s Small Business Week.
Usually, worthy small businesses are nominated by trade associations, chambers of commerce, and business organizations. Business owners can also nominate themselves, or others.
Businesses are evaluated based on staying power, growth, sales, and financial performance. Innovation is also measured, as is an ability to work through adversity and a business’ contributions to the community.
District winners will be selected Jan. 24, 2013. State winners will be named Feb. 7, 2013. And State Small Business Persons of the Year will be announced on April 1, 2013.
Awards available for public nomination are: Small Business Person of the Year; Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery; and Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery.
Several awards are also available for businesses involved in federal procurement: Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year; Small Business Subcontractor of the Year; Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence for large prime contractors which use small businesses as suppliers and contractors; and, 8 (a) graduate of the year.
SBA resource partners will also be awarded, including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Development Centers.
Nominations are due to the Fresno SBA office by Jan. 3, 2013.
For more information, visit www.sba.gov/ca/fresno and look under the “What’s New” section, or call (559) 487-5791, ext. 2709.
